Disclaimer: I do NOT own MechWarrior or any of it's units. (Mech's,
vehicles, jumpships, ect.) I only own the idea for this fic and all made-up
characters I add.
---------------------
Chapter 5
"One must first cross the river before he can tell the crocodile he has bad breath." -Chinese saying
Countryside of Tepha Tepha, Schedar Prefecture IV, Republic of the Sphere 15 October 3132
Mark Holing had survived. Which was a great relief for Vincent. It meant he didn't have to replace a good MechWarrior as well as a fine Corporal. He suffered from minor cuts and multiple bruises, but nothing serious. One of Gunnery Sergeants Kilees' troops tended to the wounded Mechwarrior with a field med kit. By the end of it, Holings had several bandages across his forehead as well as his arms and legs. But what was worse was the condition of his Spider. With its leg torn off from the body at the hip, it was pretty much useless until it could be repaired. However, no one in the present unit carried any form of refitting equipment for such a large repair. Lieutenant Vincent Shanner will just have to call one in from the Command post. Flipping a few switches, he activated his comm-link on long range to reach the Mech hanger in Tepha.
"This is Lt. Shanner of the Cavaliers Unit. Requesting Chief Technician Plug, to reply."
"Chief Plug here Vinny. What can I do ya for?"
"First of all, NEVER call me 'Vinny.' And second, get a Mech recovery truck out here. We got four down Mechs."
"Any in good condition Lieutenant?"
"Holing's Spider lost a leg. The Steel Wolf's Black Hawk looks like it could be operation with a few new parts. The other two... I'll let you decide."
"Alrighty then. I'm sending out trucks to pick em up. You all sit tight until they're done."
Vincent growled at the suggestion. He had a mission to finish and he didn't like to be standing by in the middle of one. Especially if only half his unit was with him. He assigned the tank squad of his force to remain behind and guard the Swordsworn outpost in Tepha. He wanted a home to come home to once the first objective was complete. He didn't see any other possible options, so he agreed.
"Alright Plug. And send some security along with them. We may have a Bondsmen."
"Will do. Over."
And with that last transmission, the comm-link went dead. He sank into his command chair to ponder his thoughts. There weren't many. He then opened a channel to his four remaining Mechs.
"Shut down and cool off, Mechs. The trucks will take awhile to gather the scrap, so for now, we're on break."
He cut off the communication before he could hear anyone could give a cry of relief. He felt like he needed relief as well. The coolant vest on his chest was meant to keep the pilot from literally cooking to death inside the cockpit, but the vapors of heat still hovered around him like a phantasm. His cockpit opened with a loud hiss and he felt the rush of cold air strike him. Taking a moment to cool down a bit, he shuts down his Agromech MOD throws down the chain and rope ladder, and climbs down it to the soft ground beneath him, while the other Mech pilots did the same.
Kilees and his troops had surrounded the command chair and the pilot sitting in it. The MechWarrior may have survived by ejecting from his Mech before it exploded, but it was doubtful he'll survive a point-blank assault from multiple heavy machineguns and hand held autocannons. Dressed in standard Steel Wolf combat uniform, his face showed no signs of a feared expression, which came to no surprised. Clansmen often sought death in battle. They considered it an 'honorable' death. Very slowly and cautiously, he reaches for his neurohelmet and slides it from his head, allowing his sweat drenched hair to fall freely around his head.
"Lieutenant sir!"
Kilees snapped to attention when Vincent approached. Kilees swiftness to snap to attention in the Battle Armor proved how much he had endured wearing the suit. Vincent made his way to the waiting Clansman who removed his restraining harness and slowly stood, avoiding to make any aggressive motions that may force one of the weapons pointed at his head to fire.
"I am Lieutenant Vincent Shanner. Commanding officer of the Cavaliers battle unit of the Swordsworn Faction. You have been bested in battle and I am free to choose whether or not to keep you as a Bondsman, Quiaff?"
Vincent asked carefully, choosing the right words to say to the Steel Wolf warrior.
"Aff, Lieutenant Vincent Shanner. You may choose that. However, I have the ability to ask that you grant me right to bonsref should you request to keep me as your Bondsman."
Vincent has studied Clan culture carefully, and he knew the term 'bonsref' well. Basically, it was when a Bondman's master agrees to slay him in one- on-one combat. Tradition dictates that the Bondsman would not fight, but accept death at the hands of his would-be master by any weapon the master so chooses. The very thought of killing someone in cold blood like that stirred Vincent's stomach and he wasn't about to accept it.
"You would rather die than pilot a Mech again?"
"If I become your Bondsman, there is no certainty that you will allow me to fight again. To us Trueborns, there is nothing else in life but to fight. I would sooner die now, than live with the thought of never piloting a Mech again."
Vincent's arms crossed offer his coolant vest. He was not convinced by the man's words. He could see the truth in the mans eyes. He wanted a chance. And Vincent would give him that chance.
"Trueborns are bound by honor Quiaff?"
"Aff. More than anything Lieutenant."
"However, should I grant you this bonsref, you will have died dishonorably."
"Correct. But I would rather die with little honor, than live my life with no honor."
"I could just release you and allow you to go back to your Clan."
"If you release me, I will be dezgra. That, I can not accept. My codex will not allow it."
"It is your choice then."
Vincent said, then gestured for someone to give him a sidearm laser pistol. A Battle Armor trooper handed one to him and Vincent took aim. The MechWarrior stared at the barrel of the pistol with no fear, but confidence. Vincent squeezed the trigger.
A brilliant burst of ruby-red light flashed, and the beam burned through the air, missed the MechWarriors right ear by mere inches and burned into the headrest of the command chair behind him. The Steel Wolf stared at Vincent with disbelief in his eyes. Did this mean the Lieutenant was spearing his life? Vincent tossed the laser pistol back to the one who gave it to him, and the trooper caught it on reflex.
"I missed for a purpose, Steel Wolf. I may have use for you in the near future. I claim you as isorla for the Cavaliers battle unit. What is your name MechWarrior?"
"I am Star Commander Theodore."
"Theodore, I give you my word as a MechWarrior, that you WILL fight in battle again. That is a certainty. And everyone here is borne a witness to the promise I make to you."
With a simple hand gesture, the machineguns and autocannons aimed at Theodore were lowered. Vincent then took a combat knife from his boot and cut off three strips of material from the command couch Theodore once sat in. The Lieutenant then tied the three strips around Theodore's wrist to symbolize the bondcords that will determine Theodore's achievements into becoming a MechWarrior again. This time, for the Cavaliers.
"Seyla."
Vincent said.
--------------------------
Not much to say this time. Hope you enjoyed it.
And if I receive anymore hate E-mails about my story, I will then challenge the person sending them to me, to a Circle of Equals!
Until Next Time ^_^
Theo~
---------------------
Chapter 5
"One must first cross the river before he can tell the crocodile he has bad breath." -Chinese saying
Countryside of Tepha Tepha, Schedar Prefecture IV, Republic of the Sphere 15 October 3132
Mark Holing had survived. Which was a great relief for Vincent. It meant he didn't have to replace a good MechWarrior as well as a fine Corporal. He suffered from minor cuts and multiple bruises, but nothing serious. One of Gunnery Sergeants Kilees' troops tended to the wounded Mechwarrior with a field med kit. By the end of it, Holings had several bandages across his forehead as well as his arms and legs. But what was worse was the condition of his Spider. With its leg torn off from the body at the hip, it was pretty much useless until it could be repaired. However, no one in the present unit carried any form of refitting equipment for such a large repair. Lieutenant Vincent Shanner will just have to call one in from the Command post. Flipping a few switches, he activated his comm-link on long range to reach the Mech hanger in Tepha.
"This is Lt. Shanner of the Cavaliers Unit. Requesting Chief Technician Plug, to reply."
"Chief Plug here Vinny. What can I do ya for?"
"First of all, NEVER call me 'Vinny.' And second, get a Mech recovery truck out here. We got four down Mechs."
"Any in good condition Lieutenant?"
"Holing's Spider lost a leg. The Steel Wolf's Black Hawk looks like it could be operation with a few new parts. The other two... I'll let you decide."
"Alrighty then. I'm sending out trucks to pick em up. You all sit tight until they're done."
Vincent growled at the suggestion. He had a mission to finish and he didn't like to be standing by in the middle of one. Especially if only half his unit was with him. He assigned the tank squad of his force to remain behind and guard the Swordsworn outpost in Tepha. He wanted a home to come home to once the first objective was complete. He didn't see any other possible options, so he agreed.
"Alright Plug. And send some security along with them. We may have a Bondsmen."
"Will do. Over."
And with that last transmission, the comm-link went dead. He sank into his command chair to ponder his thoughts. There weren't many. He then opened a channel to his four remaining Mechs.
"Shut down and cool off, Mechs. The trucks will take awhile to gather the scrap, so for now, we're on break."
He cut off the communication before he could hear anyone could give a cry of relief. He felt like he needed relief as well. The coolant vest on his chest was meant to keep the pilot from literally cooking to death inside the cockpit, but the vapors of heat still hovered around him like a phantasm. His cockpit opened with a loud hiss and he felt the rush of cold air strike him. Taking a moment to cool down a bit, he shuts down his Agromech MOD throws down the chain and rope ladder, and climbs down it to the soft ground beneath him, while the other Mech pilots did the same.
Kilees and his troops had surrounded the command chair and the pilot sitting in it. The MechWarrior may have survived by ejecting from his Mech before it exploded, but it was doubtful he'll survive a point-blank assault from multiple heavy machineguns and hand held autocannons. Dressed in standard Steel Wolf combat uniform, his face showed no signs of a feared expression, which came to no surprised. Clansmen often sought death in battle. They considered it an 'honorable' death. Very slowly and cautiously, he reaches for his neurohelmet and slides it from his head, allowing his sweat drenched hair to fall freely around his head.
"Lieutenant sir!"
Kilees snapped to attention when Vincent approached. Kilees swiftness to snap to attention in the Battle Armor proved how much he had endured wearing the suit. Vincent made his way to the waiting Clansman who removed his restraining harness and slowly stood, avoiding to make any aggressive motions that may force one of the weapons pointed at his head to fire.
"I am Lieutenant Vincent Shanner. Commanding officer of the Cavaliers battle unit of the Swordsworn Faction. You have been bested in battle and I am free to choose whether or not to keep you as a Bondsman, Quiaff?"
Vincent asked carefully, choosing the right words to say to the Steel Wolf warrior.
"Aff, Lieutenant Vincent Shanner. You may choose that. However, I have the ability to ask that you grant me right to bonsref should you request to keep me as your Bondsman."
Vincent has studied Clan culture carefully, and he knew the term 'bonsref' well. Basically, it was when a Bondman's master agrees to slay him in one- on-one combat. Tradition dictates that the Bondsman would not fight, but accept death at the hands of his would-be master by any weapon the master so chooses. The very thought of killing someone in cold blood like that stirred Vincent's stomach and he wasn't about to accept it.
"You would rather die than pilot a Mech again?"
"If I become your Bondsman, there is no certainty that you will allow me to fight again. To us Trueborns, there is nothing else in life but to fight. I would sooner die now, than live with the thought of never piloting a Mech again."
Vincent's arms crossed offer his coolant vest. He was not convinced by the man's words. He could see the truth in the mans eyes. He wanted a chance. And Vincent would give him that chance.
"Trueborns are bound by honor Quiaff?"
"Aff. More than anything Lieutenant."
"However, should I grant you this bonsref, you will have died dishonorably."
"Correct. But I would rather die with little honor, than live my life with no honor."
"I could just release you and allow you to go back to your Clan."
"If you release me, I will be dezgra. That, I can not accept. My codex will not allow it."
"It is your choice then."
Vincent said, then gestured for someone to give him a sidearm laser pistol. A Battle Armor trooper handed one to him and Vincent took aim. The MechWarrior stared at the barrel of the pistol with no fear, but confidence. Vincent squeezed the trigger.
A brilliant burst of ruby-red light flashed, and the beam burned through the air, missed the MechWarriors right ear by mere inches and burned into the headrest of the command chair behind him. The Steel Wolf stared at Vincent with disbelief in his eyes. Did this mean the Lieutenant was spearing his life? Vincent tossed the laser pistol back to the one who gave it to him, and the trooper caught it on reflex.
"I missed for a purpose, Steel Wolf. I may have use for you in the near future. I claim you as isorla for the Cavaliers battle unit. What is your name MechWarrior?"
"I am Star Commander Theodore."
"Theodore, I give you my word as a MechWarrior, that you WILL fight in battle again. That is a certainty. And everyone here is borne a witness to the promise I make to you."
With a simple hand gesture, the machineguns and autocannons aimed at Theodore were lowered. Vincent then took a combat knife from his boot and cut off three strips of material from the command couch Theodore once sat in. The Lieutenant then tied the three strips around Theodore's wrist to symbolize the bondcords that will determine Theodore's achievements into becoming a MechWarrior again. This time, for the Cavaliers.
"Seyla."
Vincent said.
--------------------------
Not much to say this time. Hope you enjoyed it.
And if I receive anymore hate E-mails about my story, I will then challenge the person sending them to me, to a Circle of Equals!
Until Next Time ^_^
Theo~